2025 NAIWE Narrative Nonfiction Winner
Author: Mary Jumbelic
As a newly retired expert forensic pathologist, Dr. Mary Jumbelic is pulled into the investigation of a family friend’s death when a former colleague calls to ask her for an opinion on an open case.
As a talented pathologist and writer, Dr. Jumbelic juxtaposes important concepts within the pages: the murdered women speaking contrasted with the new life in young Jumbelic’s pregnant body and the ceremonial bed contrasted with also being the death bed. In addition, she compares her own experience to these silenced women, or perhaps, why she became a pathologist, having been nearly kidnapped from a park at the age of five.
Dr. Jumbelic shares personal accounts, often to lighten the mood, but to also provide additional connection with the women from the stories who can no longer speak. While the stories can be difficult to read, Dr. Jumbelic expresses on behalf of these women the final words they were never allowed to say.
Mary Jumbelic includes many facts and statistics in this novel to help the reader better understand “femicides” – women who have been murdered by husbands, ex-partners, family members, and acquaintances. She also includes information about domestic violence and how can women can reach out for help.
Congratulations, Mary Jumbelic’s Speak Her Name for being a NAIWE 2025 Book Award winner!
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